HOW MUCH DOES A CORNHOLE SET COST?
When you shop, you are probably looking to get the most bang for your buck… right? It should be no different when looking to invest in a set of cornhole boards. There are so many options out there that range from as little as $44 to as high as $410.
For you to make the most informed buying decision, you need to know what affects the cost of these cornhole sets:
- What sizes are available?
- What materials are being used to build these boards?
- Can you customize the design on the playing surface?
- Do bags come with the set?
- Or the question so many people tend to forget, how much for shipping?
You will find the answer to all these questions and more right here.
WHAT SIZE CORNHOLE SETS ARE AVAILABLE?
What size cornhole set are you looking for? When looking to purchase a cornhole set, you should start by asking yourself, what size would be best for you? This will narrow your search right from the start.
Regulation Size Cornhole Boards
The traditional, tournament style, regulation size cornhole board is 4ft long by 2ft wide. If you’re an ultra competitor and you want the ultimate cornhole set in your backyard, this is the one for you. These are typically your most expensive boards due to their size and amount of materials it takes to build them.
Tailgate Size Cornhole Boards
Then there’s the tailgate size. This board set is made to be practically the same game as the regulation size but more portable and a little bit cheaper. Sometimes taking your regulation size bag toss boards to the football game or your friend’s house is a challenge due to the nature of their size. However, with the tailgate size only being 3ft long by 2ft wide, they are much more manageable to get around no matter the size of your vehicle. This is a nice alternative to the regulation style if you aren’t that competitive.
HOW DO THE MATERIALS USED IN CORNHOLE BOARDS AFFECT THE COST?
Everyone always asks me, “What are your boards made of, they look expensive!” And as a cornhole product provider, player, and enthusiast of the game for over 10 years I tell them… “WOOD.” Now I know that sounds simple, but it’s true.
Some boards you’ll see in the marketplace are inexpensive and there’s very good reasons why. Some manufacturers use ½” particle board for the tops and a veneer finished plywood frame. This will help keep the price of a regulation cornhole set under $100 (sometimes including shipping). But what you gain in a competitive price, you lose in quality.
Low End Cornhole Board Construction & Materials
Particle board is smooth and looks nice but is soft and expands when wet. Did you ever get a piece of furniture back in the day from Ikea? You saw that Entertainment console online and it looked amazing, so you pulled the trigger and ordered it. It showed up at your house a week later in 100 pieces with an Allen wrench and some instructions. After working on it for four frustrating hours you finally got it all together and you couldn’t wait to show it off, so you invited some friends over to check it out and celebrate.
One thing led to another and everyone was having a great time. Chips and dip and sodas and cocktails for everyone! But you didn’t remember to put out coasters. Then there were a couple of spills, no biggie. Then you notice a week later, where the spills happened and where the sweat from the cans from where the drinks were sitting, it started to look different. The “wood” entertainment center you bought actually wasn’t truly wood. It was more like glorified cardboard with a nice veneer on it. The point being, you usually get what you pay for.
You can get a particle board cornhole set for under $100. However, you will probably have to buy this same set every year because it just won’t last. If you leave them out over night, the dew will damage the boards, and don’t even think about leaving them out in the rain or snow.
As they say in Brooklyn, “Fahget about it!!”
Average Cornhole Board Construction & Materials
The most common materials used in building a cornhole set are Pine 2x4’s for the frame and standard ½” plywood for the tops. Now this is a major step up from particle board construction.
The Pine 2x4’s are very durable and easy to build with. The only problem you typically have with them is that they tend to warp easily. Pine is a soft wood; therefore, in the long run it could potentially cause you problems.
Unlike particle board, pine cornhole sets can be left out overnight, and it won’t ruin the boards (not recommended though). The ½” plywood is a good sturdy top. It’s inexpensive but decent.
You will find the majority of middle of the road boards are made this way. The ½” top is good but not the best.
During gameplay a ½” top allows the board to have a bounce. This is when you pitch the bag and it lands directly in the center of the board and it actually has a trampoline effect on the bag. A 5/8” top will eliminate this problem.
I’ve seen these middle tiered pine cornhole sets priced anywhere from $125-$239 (plus shipping) depending on what supplier you’re shopping with. All in all a quality set… but wait until you see what’s next!
High End Cornhole Boards Construction & Materials
Now here is a set of quality cornhole boards. This company (American Cornhole Organization) makes a great product… if you don’t mind paying for it.
They build their sets with premium materials. The frame is made with cabinet grade Poplar. This is a hardwood that resists warping and looks fantastic. The top is a 4ft x 2ft lacquered piece of 5/8” Baltic Birch plywood, the smoothest, flattest plywood available.
One thing we haven’t discussed to this point is a consistent playing surface. Most manufacturers like to put a coat of lacquer on their tops to either seal in a vinyl sticker or give the boards a nice shine. The coat of lacquer will do this very well. However, you will lose a consistent playing surface in the process. Humidity affects lacquer in a major way. If the air is humid, the boards will become sticky. If the air is dry, the boards will become extremely slick. These are some things to think about when making your purchase.
Next, the collapsible leg system is constructed with a crossbar for stability. They went the extra mile and added a rubber foot to seemingly help the boards stay in place during gameplay. They’ve attached clasps to the boards to keep them latched during transport.
I’ve found over the years that this can actually be counterproductive, because when latched together the boards are way too heavy to carry. I feel it’s much easier to grab the boards separately by their handles (if they have them) and carry in both hands essentially balancing the weight throughout your body.
Now you’re asking yourself how much for this set? Drumroll please…… the answer is $395 ($295 without their standard logo).
Then you need bags to play with right? With this company, bags are a la carte. If you go with their standard corn filled 10 oz. duck cloth bags it’s an additional $40. Then shipping is another $55.
Out the door you’re paying $490 for a set of premium boards with an inconsistent playing surface, a logo you may not care for, and a set of bags that don’t even come with the set.
What if I told you, you could purchase a set of boards constructed with the same premium materials, the most consistent playing surface in the industry, that you can put almost any graphic you want on them, and get bags included for nearly half the cost?
How To Choose The Best Value Cornhole Board For You?
When you started searching for cornhole boards you were asking yourself, “How can I get the most bang for my buck?” By now you’ve probably come to some conclusions based on the information you have been given. If you’re looking for an inexpensive short term solution then you’re probably leaning towards the thin particle boards described first.
If you’re wanting something that’s in the middle of the road you’ll probably go with a set made mostly with pine 2x4’s and a ½ plywood top. If you go this route I recommend possibly doing it yourself or finding someone who makes them out of their garage. Your options may be a bit limited but you’ll save on shipping!
Now, if you’re the type of person that likes to make an investment in something rather than just buy something, then you are definitely going to want to get the premium cornhole board set. If you want the ultimate playing surface, then go with the premium all poplar frames and ⅝” Baltic Birch tops… you can’t go wrong.
A great place to check out premium cornhole boards is right here at slickwoodys.com. We recommend checking out the site, there’s something for everyone!
